Belt conveyer



H. TINSLEY BELT CONVEYER oct.A y 5, 1937.

4 sheets-sheet 1 Filed July 25, 1934 HORACE T1 NSLEY www, Am'

Oct. 5, 1937. H. TlNsLEY 2,094,728

BELT coNvEYER /FiledJuly 25, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 @MM5/V709. HOQACE TLNSLEX By MM, MM;

Oct. 5, 1937. H, T|N$LEY 2,094,728

' y BELT coNvEYER Filed July 25, 1934. 4 sheets-sheets [NVE/Woe.' HOQACE TxNLEwj M. )nml A TTY Oct. 5, 1937. H. TlNsLEY I 2,094,728

l BELT coNvEYER Filed July 25, v1934 4 sheets-shewl 4 Patented Oct. 5, 1937 IUNlT--Eo srnres T ceri E A*Application July 25, 1934, Serial No. 736,972 lin Great Britain .lluly 28,1933

11 Claims.

I Thisv invention `relates 4to belt conveyersand :thas more particular-though not exclusive Vreference to face belt conveyersfor use in coal 'i mines; The chief. object' or" the present inven- Htionis to provide an improved construction of 'belt lconveyer which has many advantages over the-iusual type of` such'conveyer. The inven- A tion- 'compris-es anumber of Vimprovements in l#connection `with diiferentfparts 4of the conveyer, -vwhich llatterggenerally may be constituted by Athreelmain sections,4 namely, a driving head or f section, a tail section or tension end and a series of intermediate adjoining sections which can be arranged endito end and in suitable disposition `with -regard to the driving head or' section and the tailqsectiongor tension end to provide the i -completet conveyer. f

-According to one feature of the invention the 4conveyer comprises V-shaped or similarly shaped side members Vwhich are so `constructed and arranged that they impart a shallow trough-like formationto the upper portion ofthe belt. Such l-v-sl'iaped side. members are also disposed or i formed tov protect or cover the lower portion of the belt. Thearrangement is such that the apex ends-of the VJ-shaped members projectinwardly towards eachother, the up-per parts of the said'membersforming inclined faces or seatings v uponwhichzthe outer parts or edges of the upper f portion-of the belt rest, whilst the said members project inwardly. to such anextent as to cover or protect .the outer parts or edges of the lower belt portion. iThe saidside meinbersmay be provided with upstanding-walls or flanges, and prefi erably the arrangement is such that the upstandingwalls or flanges on the'side members at one side ofthe conveyer are higher than the walls or flangeson the opposite members. The opposite side members, however, may be interchangeable so that either the higher or the lower walls or flanges may be provided at either or both sides of the conveyer. By means of this construction the use of loose .spill plates generally eml ployed in this class'V of conveyer can be avoided rowing, to the goaf and face side members being interchangeable. `The ends of-` the said sidemembers can be connected together or supported `in any appropriate manner and the side Vmembers are preferably so formed as to provide `supports or lugs for carrying idler rollersrwhich support the middle part of the belt. The idler rollersmay have spindles `that are `slottedv to t irilugs provided `in the aforesaidside members or pl'ates,i.the Vslotspreventing rotation ofthe spindles and providing lateral register for the sidel provide for alignment of the .side members horis made whereby telescopic or longitudinal ad-4 Aform, the trough being connected tothe tail end members. VThe said side members are preferably connectedftogether or supported by a number of V-stands or stools which may or may not' be fitted with? idler rollers for the return belt portion. The said supporting stands or stools vwhich have upstanding'or vertical end plates or fsides may receive suitably shaped metal strips or brackets that may extend over the said end plates and also t in slots in the stands or stools. These brackets are welded -or otherwise VattachedltoA the V-shaped side mem-bers and constitute-the means of readily linking up the side members to the supporting. stands or stools. The ends ofthe various intermediate sections constituted by the inter-connected V-sh'aped side members may abut at positions whereY the supporting stands or Ystools are provided and they maybe supported either horizontally orv at a suitable inclination ac- 1 cording .to requirements. Y i stands or stools may., if desired, :carry rollers over The said supporting 2O which :the bottom` portion ofi the belt travels, or theycrnay be provided'with suitably curved 'or shaped'members over which thev return portionV ofthe belt may pass. The `stands or stools 25 izontally whilst permitting of reasonable vertical adjustment or changes of alignment to follow f the contour of the ground over which the conveyi Aer passes.

A series of the'V-shaped side mem- 4 bers connected or assembled asaforesaid, consti- 30 tute the intermediate section which is suitably arranged or disposed inrelation to the driving heady section and the tail end section. According to a further feature of the invention provision justment may be effected at the tail end section,

. for example by means of the V-'shaped side members or plates as aforesaid being slidably arranged on or in a receiving trough of suitable frame which may carry the tailend drum and which may also be provided with means for selfcleaning. The'driving head orsection according to this invention may comprise Tmain and secondary driving drums driven by a single chain from the gear unit, the .gear unitand the chain being preferably enclosedin a casing which may be located adjacent tov the driving motor which p for -compactness maybe disposed under the belt.k

A special advantagel of the `construction of the r driving head is that the weight is disposed largely at the rear of the gear head. Inorder to reduce the initial tension required `in the belting,

shown in Figure 3.

drum, preferably at a position between the two driving drums so as to be operative when the belt is running in the reverse direction, the said roller being maintained against the belt with the requisite pressure by means of springs.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of one form of belt conveyer comprising various improvements according to this invention.

Figure la is a side View illustrating more particularly one method of connecting or supporting the ends of the side members of the intermediate sections.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the conveyer shown in Figure 1,.the belt, however, in this figure being omitted.

Figures 3 and 4 are transverse sectional views taken on the lines 3-3 and 4-4 of Figure l.

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing more particularly one arrangement of the side supporting members with idler rollers carried thereby.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are respectively a transverse view (partly in section), a plan and a longitudinal sectional view of one of the aforesaid stools or supporting stands.

Figures 9 and l0 are respectively a side View and a sectional plan view of the driving head or section drawn to a larger scale.

Figure 1l illustrates an alternative or modied form of the tail end section.

Figure lla illustrates an alternative or modified form of the tail end section.

In the example shown, the conveyer comprises a driving head or section which is generally indicated at A, a tail end or tension section indicated at Band an intermediate section generally represented by C, the endless belt of the conveyer being indicated by D. The intermediate or main part of the conveyer is preferably constituted by a series of sections which are supported or connected as hereinafter described by stands or stools E. Each of these intermediate sections comprises two longitudinally disposed side members which are in the form of V-shaped plates I2, I2, the apex ends of which are directed inwardly towards each other as shown in the crosssectional views in FiguresS, 4 and 5. The upper portions of the V-shaped plates constitute inclined faces or seatings upon which rest the outer parts or edges of the upper portion of the belt D, the said V-shaped portions projecting between the upper and'lower belt portions so as to cover or protect the lower portion of the belt. The lower parts of the V-shaped plates are eX- tended downwardly and preferably vertically to form side walls Ia, the lower or return belt portion being disposed between these side walls as The inclined faces or seatings afforded by the V-shaped side members impart a shallow trough-like formation to the belt, and the construction is such as to minimize spillage and at the same time prevent material from being placed on or falling on the lower or return portion of the belt. The ends of the V-shaped V'plates or side members of the different sections adjoin or abut or are connected in any appropriate manner. In the example shown, the supporting stands or stools E. are provided at the adjoining ends of the side plates or members and Y as shown more particularly in Figures 6, 7 and 8 these stands or stools comprise side plates [3.

which are preferably vertically disposed and a transverse connecting member I4 between them. The transverse connecting member is slotted at I5 to receive brackets or supports I6 which are welded or otherwise secured to the ends of the side members i2 and are so shaped as to hook over the upper edges of the side plates I3 as shown more particularly in Figure 3, the said brackets being provided with downwardly extending portions that t in the aforesaid slots I5 in order to locate the brackets in the proper positions for supporting the side members or plates. The adjoining ends of the side members or plates may be suitably shaped to conform with the shape of the transverse member of the supporting stand or stool, or alternatively, suitable portions of the side members may be formed to t into slots provided in the supporting stands or stools. The V-shaped side members or plates I2 at spaced positions along their lengths are preferably provided with slots I'I and lugs I8 (see Figure 5) to receive idler rollers I9 upon which rest the main or middle part of the upper portion of the belt, for which purpose the said rollers may be rotatably mounted on spindles 20, the ends of which are slotted or formed with flats to engage with the aforesaid lugs I8 so that the spindles are retained against rotation and displacement whilst also serving to connect the side members I 2 together. As shown in Figure 5, the rollersli9 may be outwardly tapered towards their extremities to assist in imparting the trough-like formation to the belt, but the rollers may be entirely cylindrical, if desired. The rollers I9,

which may be hollow, may be mounted on ballV bearings 2I that close the ends, the space within the rollers preferably containing lubricant. An advantage of the construction hereinbefore described is that the idler rollers may be placed or removed with the side plates in position so as to form complete units, this being contrary to the usual practice with this type of conveyer. The side members may be formed with upstanding walls or ilanges at their upper parts, and as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the wall or flange I2b on one side member I 2 may be considerably higher than the wall or flange I 2c on the oppositeA side member l2. The opposite side members may be interchangeable so that the higher Wall or flange i217 may be located at either side of the conveyer. By this construction loose spill plates such as are generally employed can be dispensed with owing to the goaf or face side members of the conveyer being interchangeable. The in- Y termediate sections constituted by the aforesaid side members I2 may be supported horizontally Y or in inclined positions, the arrangement generally being such that most of the sections are horizontal. The aforesaid supporting stands or stools provide for alignment of the side members horizontally whilst permitting of reasonable vertical changes of alignment to follow the contour of the ground over, which the conveyer extends. The supporting stands or stools may be provided with idler rollers 22 for the return or lower belt portion (as shown in Figures 6, '7 and 8) or the transverse members of these stands may be suitably shaped or curved as shown for example in Figures l and la to allow the belt to travel freely and smoothly overY them. Generally only the V- shaped side members of Vthe middle sections are provided with the walls or ilanges of different heights, the side members of the end sections adjoining the drivingV head and/or the tail section preferably having Walls of the same height mit of adjustment of the chain whilst employing to: the tailv end or. tension; section.

The end section adjacent: to the drivinghead may z be` `'slightly "inclined aupwardlyY towards the .'flatte'r1as shown. in. Figure 1, to which itk isxattached"preferablyz to. a top trough .member.23,

Lone end of which is. similar to one half ofthe supporting stand or stool hereinbefore `rdescribed, :and which may receivev supporting brackets la (see Figure 1)-similar tothe brackets I6 hereinbefore referred .to-for engaging with the upper Hedge of the trough member 23:.and also tting infslotsatthe lower part.

the tail end section may be .telescopically 'or ad- -justably'fiitted in relationv to this tail end section,

The end of the intermediate: section which adjoins or is adjacent to for example, .by means-softhe aforesaid side members IZof the end intermediate section fitzo ting ,on or ina receiving trough 24 as shown in Figure 4, the said receiving trough being such as to t closely against theaioresaid sidemembers I2 `which at their lower parts are embraced by plates 25 having turned-over ends or edgesas shown iinFigure 4. By means of this construcvtionrelative longitudinalvmovement can be ei- `fecte'd between the troughmember 24 and the A end intermediate section to `permit of the neces- 3 sary adjustment. i O.

Y The said trough. 211 is connected to the tail end frame 2S which carries the tail "drum around which the belt D passes. In the arrangement shown in. Figure 1, the belt :after passing around the tail drum is engaged by a small roller orsnub. pulley7 28, but inthe alternative construction shownin Figure 11, this i. roller or pulley is dispensed with and only the -single Vtail drum is employed. In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a rubbercovered scraper 29 is provided for engaging with the lower or return portion of the belt and this scraper maybe of V-iormation so that themapasses over a plate 32 forming part of the troughl member 23 disposed above a driving motor 33 which may be an electric or compressed air motor. When an electric motor is used, it may have associated with it a switch 34 to form an integral unit (see Figure 10) in order to afford better protection from damage whilst providing for full and ready accessibility. Reduction gearing 35 is provided as shown and is located adf jacent to the motor unit in such position as to YFigure 1G, a single driving chain 36 is used to transmit the drive fromthe gear unit to each driving drum, the said chain preferably passing over multiple sprockets 3l while chain adjusting means comprising a sprocket 38 mounted on a pivoted arm 39 may be provided so as to perhoused within a. casing 42. 'being .disposed below the belt and constituting 'fixedcentres on all the driving or drivenmem- `1jbers. This chain `may alsogive a differential drive action where desired. A pinching roller `lil :is provided to bear against-the return belt portion whilst passing around the larger'driv- .ingV drum, the said pinching roller being so disposed between. the two driving drums as to be `operative when the belt is running in either direction. The pinching roller Ml is caused to `.bear with the necessary pressure against the .larger drum by means of springs 4l as shown inyFigures 1 and 9. The driving head or section comprising the motor, reduction gearing rintermediate section can be readily connected,

`for exampleas hereinbefore described, the driving mechanism being completely enclosed or part of the head, greater rigidity, absence of handling and compact dimensions of the gears are permitted. The general construction of this section is also designed with a view to providing greater accessibility for inspection or renewal. A wiper d3 may be provided to bear against the outersurface of the belt, preferably at the position shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 11d the taily end section is provided with a paddle' wheel type of pulley rather than the drum type as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 11. Although the conveyer described and illustrated comprises the particular forms of driving head or section and tail end section set forth, it will be understood that the form of conveyer comprising the V- shaped side or belt supporting members may be used in any type of belt conveyor of which the belt may be driven in any appropriate manv ner. -v Although the belt supporting members arcta() of V-shape, they .may be of any suitable shape Vwhich enables the belt to be supported as herein set-forth. kFor instance, the members maybe constituted by plates of suitably curved section or form and instead of the plates being in onei,

piece they may be built up or` assembled in-any desired manner. The aforesaid driving end or section and the tail endvsection as hereinbefore referred to may also be employed in connection with various types of conveyers to whichinterrn'ediate'sections of any suitable type can` be connected in any appropriate manner.

Owing to the motori What I claim and desire to securev by Letters Patent of the United States ist- 1. In a conveyor, the combination with a trough, of a belt for moving in said trough, said trough being formed of substantially V-shaped unitary side plates the, apexes of which are aligned toward each other and lie in a substantially horizontal plane, whereby the uppermost part of the V-shaped plates forms a dished trough for the upper belt run and the lower part thereof forms a protecting apron for the lower belt run.

2. In a conveyer, the combination with a trough, of a beltfor moving in said trough, said trough being formed of substantially V-shaped unitary side plates the apeXes of which are aligned toward each other and lie in a substantially horizontal plane, and belt supporting rollers between said apexes, whereby the upper part of the V-shaped plates form a dished trough for supporting'the upper run of the belt and the lower part thereof forms a protecting apron for the vlower belt run.

trough, of a belt for moving in said trough, said trough being formed of substantially V-shaped side plates the apexes of which are aligned toward each other and lie-in a substantially horizontal plane, whereby the uppermost part of the V- shaped plates forms a dished trough for the upper belt run and the lower part thereof forms a protecting apron for the lower belt run.

4. In a conveyer, the combination with a trough, of a belt for moving in said trough, said trough being formed of substantially V-shaped side plates the apexes oi which are aligned toward each other and lie in a substantially horizontal plane, and belt supporting rollers between said apexes, whereby the upper part of the il-shaped plates form a dished trough for supporting the upper run of the belt and the lower part thereof forms a protecting apron for the lovvei1 belt run.

5. In a conveyer, the combination with a trough, of a belt for moving in said trough, said trough being formed of a pair of spaced plates substantially V-shaped in cross-section with their apexes aligned and extending toward each other in a substantially horizontal plane, one of said plates having an upstanding flange oi greater height than the other plate whereby a baiie is formed, said plates being interchangeable on said conveyer,

6. In a conveyer, the combination with a trough, of a belt for moving in said trough, said trough being formed of a pair of spaced plates substantially 'l-shaped in cross-section with their apexes aligned and extending toward each other in a substantially horizontal plane, one of said plates having an upstanding flange of greater height than the other plate whereby a baiile is formed.

7. In a conveyer, the combination with a trough, of a belt for moving in said trough, said trough being formed of a pair of spaced plates substantially -shaped in cross-section with their apexes aligned and extending toward each other in a substantially horizontal plane, slots in the apexes oi said V-shaped plates, brackets positioncd below said slots, a roller having an axle supported at its ends by said brackets said roller being adapted to drop between said plates with said axle moving through said slots.

8. In a conveyer, the combination with a trough, of a belt for moving in said trough, said troughbeing formed of a pair of spaced plates substantially V-shaped in cross-section with their apexes aligned and extending toward each other in a substantially horizontal plane, slots in the apexes of said V-shaped plates, brackets positioned below said slots, a roller having an axle supported at its ends by said brackets.

9. In a sectional conveyer, the combination with a plurality of trough sections each formed of independently supported side plates, of means for removably attaching said sections comprising a U-shaped stand, straps on the ends of the conveyer section side plates having hooked upper ends adapted to hook over the sides of said stand, said straps having bottom portions extending downwardly into recess latch means on said stand, whereby each trough section is separately attached to and individually removable from a stand to prevent disengagement by longitudinal pulling thereof, and each side plate is independently supported.

10. In a sectional conveyer, the combination with a plurality of trough sections each formed of individual side plates, of means for removably attaching said sections comprising a U-shaped stand, cooperating means rigid with each section and stand for effecting an attachment of each section to said stand by relatively vertical movement between the section and stand, whereby longitudinal movement )between sections is prevented, said cooperating means including straps cn each section end adapted to engage shoulders on said stand and to hook over the tops of said stand to maintain the side plates upright.

1l. In a sectional conveyer, the combination with a plurality of trough sections formed oi independent side plat-es, of means for removably attaching said sections comprising a U-shaped stand, means for attaching the ends of contiguous side plates to said stand for ready removal by relative vertical movement but which prevents removal by longitudinal movement including means which hook over the upper edges of said stand to hold said side plates upright, webs extending inwardly of said side plates to form a support for a belt, and belt supporting rollers supported by said side plates and positioned therebetween.

HORACE TINSLEY. 

